Striker Smith says there is no complacency in Cobblers camp

Last weekend’s 2-1 win over Charlton Athletic was a huge confidence boost for Town, as they bounced back from their midweek defeat at the hands of Oldham Athletic.

That surprise Sixfields reverse had seen the Cobblers drop to within just four points of the drop zone, but last weekend’s victory saw them open up a more comfortable cushion again, with other results going their way.

It means Town are in a good position with just 10 matches of the campaign remaining, but Portsmouth loan man Smith says he and his team-mates are taking nothing for granted.

“Every game is massive coming into this stage of the season, particularly with the position we find ourselves in,” said the 25-year-old, who opened the scoring against Charlton with his first goal for the Cobblers.

“But I think the response we showed on Saturday to what happened on Tuesday and the result we got, there are only going to be good things from now on.

“That said, you don’t get too complacent, as you can see how quickly things change in football, so we have to keep concentrating on us, and hopefully get the next three points come Saturday.”

Smith will be running out in familiar territory when he leads the line at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday, as he spent six months on loan as a Wimbledon player in the 2013/14 season.

The Wallsend-born player scored 10 goals in 25 appearances for the Dons, and he is warning his team-mates they are in for an uncomfortable afternoon in south west London.

“It can be quite a hostile ground,” said Smith. “I have obviously played there for Wimbledon, and I also played there for Portsmouth in a win at the back end of last season, so I was on the other side of it.

“The fans there get really behind the team, so it can be a tough place to go.”

Town boss Justin Edinburgh is set to partner Smith and Marc Richards in attack again this weekend, and he believes Smith can now relax and get even better after breaking his scoring duck for the club.

“A lot of judgement on a striker is for his goals, and obviously that is the main reason they are in the team,” said Edinburgh.

“I think Michael’s all-round game has been excellent since the day he has arrived, and I know he has had chances and he knows he should have a better goal tally.

“But his work for the team is faultless, his team-mates are appreciative of that, and I am pleased he got off the mark.

“Hopefully now that will take that nervousness away and give him that little bit more composure and people will start to appreciate him a bit more than perhaps they have.”